The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-11-10
PENBERT0N'S ESCORT.

/ LIN IL Wv ~ LAW "
Maria was simply talking nonsense when
she said that had had nightmare. 1t was
not l who ate so heartily Of James slap
jacks" and maple syrup at supper that night;
l was abstemious, and partook only of the
cold ham and dry toast, topping off with
few educators and a bit Of old cheese II she
had slept in the north chamber she would not
have been so sure it was all dream
knew when bought the house that it was
considered haunted, and that that was one
reason why it had so long been tenantless
and was sold so cheap, though perhaps the
tact that modern civilization had not brought
railway car within ten miles Of it may also
have reduced its marketable value But
neither of these considerations had any weight
whatever with me after had once been over
the dear old place, with its low ceilings
and its high wainscots, Its broad Stairways,
its tall carved mantepieces and generous fire.
places, its square windows lhickiy set with
tiny panes of irregular, greenish glass; after [
had caught one glimpse Of the rambling gar
den full of the old fashioned flowers-mari-
Colds, sweet williams, mourning brides, pop
pies, Glove pinks, pcotees, ladies' slippers,
Johnny jump ups and rkspurs-decorously
fenced in with borders of spicy hox-with its
gray, moss grown, cracked stone sun dial sur
rounded by bed of English daisies; with its
| lmpid pond, fed by natural spring, now
half choked by rushes and COW lilies. All, do
| not wonder that even hot Drained, unroman-
tic Sir Rufus hated TO leave the plac,! And, l
| assure you, l take great credit 10 myself be-
cause l succeeded in making him do 50.
We-my sister Maria and took the place
SO that we might have a summer homo, not a
mere makeshift abiding place; and as our old
Jane had been brought up OH farm, she was
only too glad to go with us. To be sure it
was a good ways from Boston, but then Jane
had no followers" Maria was too lame to
care much about shopping and as for he, l
was delighted to own a far of spot where re-
porters could not find me, and where hasty
summons to lecture in some distant town
would be very sure to come to hand just
about twenty-four hours too late. Oh, was
sure l could rest there!
As have said, it was an old house-an an
te-colonial house one might almost say, for its
foundations were laid soon after the Speed
well landed her first living cargo on these
| shores; and it was only right and proper that
it should be "haunted'-yes, haunted by
many memories. Could its walls have owned
| a tongue as well as ears, what story might
| be able to relate!
We were very, very tired the first night of
our stay in our new home, and if there were
any nocturnal visitors. we knew it not; any
such as rats or mice, Rags always attended TO
most faithfully.
| The second night, however, / was not able
to sleep as well as usual, though | had re-
| tired at my customary hour, so | lay calmly
awake rounding off certain periods in my
new lecture, "WOman's Prior Existence" in
which | ably proved that Eve really was
created before Adam, even accepting the
Genesaic account Of creation; there she lay,
perdu, in Adams rib; that rib was formed
| before he breathed; therefore, she must have
preceded him; however, you are not in
terested IN that. | merely mention it to prove
| that was wide awake: how could one 20 to
sleep when meditating upon so important and
soul stirring matter!
| A movement, all inaudible rustic, if may
use the term, in the big chintz covered easy
chair near the fireplace attracted my atten-
| ton. | glanced in that direction. Then |
looked again, The room was flooded with the
| full glory of the midsummer moon, and l
could distinctly see that my unexpected
visitor YVES the semblance CT man-of a man
in the prime of life, clad in the costume of
$50 years ago That he was not man was
instantly assured by perceiving that, though
his lips moved, no sound issued tberefrom;
the blue roses and yellow parrots depicted on
the ChintNwere plainly discernible through
! his figure
| Now /, Eustasia Pemberton, have faced far
| too many audiences to experience any stage
fright at the mere sight of ghost.
| Therefore, drawing the counterpart decor
ously around me, propped myself more
securely up among the pillows, and then adj
| dressed him-it-well, let us simplify matters
| and say "him."
"Sr Rufus Lounsberry, presumed" said l,
| interrogatively.
| He rose to his fall height, laid his shadowy
hand over where his heart used to be, and
| bowed profoundly.
| PRAY resume your seat, sir; | am comfort
able; please make yourself so, for our chat
may be prolonged one"
With another courteous inclination he re-
sumed his former position.
| tAN"i''s 1 NOlIlllueNl, WITCH 4 OOG5ub thIo
| house, that it was said to have unearthly visi-
| tors-'haunted,' the bucolic mind deemeth it,;
SO have been expecting to see solneth-some
one. have been told that until it passed into
| my possession this mansion has never been
ous of the hands of an Alden; do you know if
| that is so!'
He bowed sfIirmatively.
"Yesi Thsuks. Well now, my friend, as
you were not born here, why do you not go
home to your ancestral halls in England'
Why do YOU remain in strange landl
| Would it not be more satisfactory to haunt
the mansion where you were bornl If you
have any sense Of honor" (here his hand flew
TO his ghostly scabbard, but did not hesi-
tate), "you will perceive that you are now in
truding. While the Aldens owned this house,
perhaps you, whose mother was an Alden, did
have ghost beg pardon!-a shadow Of O
claim to linger around; but there is no Alden